LCSO arrests two men near Willard Road
About 4:10 p.m. Sunday, March 27, a Lassen County sheriff’s deputy on patrol just west of Willard Road near Highway 36 observed a blue Chevrolet pickup parked behind gold Cadillac sedan.
The deputy contacted two men who walked from the front of the pickup and appeared to be manipulating an item. One of the men said the Cadillac did not belong to them.
The deputy observed several freshly cut catalytic converters in the rear of the pickup. The deputy inspected the Cadillac and discovered the catalytic converter had been cut and removed from the undercarriage of the vehicle. Further investigation determined the suspects had used a vehicle jack and a battery powered reciprocating saw to steal the catalytic converter from the vehicle.
The deputy also discovered methamphetamine, methamphetamine paraphernalia and heroin paraphernalia on the men and inside their vehicle.
One of the suspects, identified as Andrew Tidwell, provided the deputy with false identification. Tidwell had an active warrant for his arrest.
The other suspect, Jonathan Martin, was on active probation in Lassen County.
The deputy arrested Tidwell and Martin and booked them into the Lassen County Jail.
Tidwell faces charges of providing false identification to a law enforcement officer, conspiracy and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Martin faces charges of grand theft, conspiracy, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance and tampering with a vehicle.
The Lassen County Sheriff’s Office reminds everyone to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity.
If anyone is missing a catalytic converter, call the LCSO at 256-3222.
